New year,
new style for PJS
PERTH Jazz Society will move away from weekly Charles Hotel gigs next year and stage performances in a variety of alternative venues.
Monday nights at the PJS have been a staple of Perth’s jazz scene for the past 38 years. Beginning in 1973, the Perth Jazz Society has created an amazing record of achievement of which all musicians and music supporters can be immensely proud.
During that time Perth itself has changed enormously - and the musical landscape is very different too. The PJS committee has spent a long time reflecting on this and contemplating how to best adapt. After a lot of thought and consultation with the members we have decided to discontinue weekly performances at the Charles.
In 2012 the club will explore a new and dynamic mode of operation.
The new year will bring new life to PJS – and see it reborn as a more flexible and effective organisation.
We will create relationships with multiple venues, to present interesting music in interesting places.
Be assured, though; our core mission - presenting and promoting modern jazz – remains paramount. This is most definitely not the end of the PJS. It is the beginning of a new stage in the club’s life.
Weekly performances in a single venue will be replaced with other kinds of regular performances. We are exploring presentation of monthly events, and partnering other venues and organisations for special performances.
How it begins…
To make these changes the club must take a short break at the start of 2012. There will be no concerts in January, but the committee expects to introduce some of the new initiatives in February.
Because of the new approach, and cancellation of weekly events in 2012, we will of course be offering a pro rata refund of members’ fees should they desire it, though we hope you will remain with us through this exciting (but exacting!) transition.
The Charles
As we move on, PJS acknowledges sincerely the superb support given us all through the past four years at the Charles Hotel. Staff and management have been wonderfully accommodating and helpful. We are grateful to them all and hope to continue our working relationship in future.
Stay in touch!
Thanks go to all our members too, for their support across the years. We look forward to sharing the new PJS with you in 2012.
Further updates on 2012 performances will come to you in printed and emailed newsletters, as well as via our website - so stay tuned!
- Johannes Luebbers
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY - Department of Culture and Arts
Are you a young artist or arts worker looking to pursue overseas study?
The Department of Culture and the Arts’ Young People and the Arts International Scholarship offers $30,000 annually to one outstanding young artist or arts worker, aged 29 years or under, to undertake specialist training at an overseas institution.
Applications close on 24 February 2012, with priority given to applicants whose chosen course of study reflects their individual needs as an artist or arts worker. The course must provide specialist training that is currently unavailable in Australia.
The 2009 Scholarship recipient, Joshua Webb, used the opportunity to complete his final year of a Masters degree in Fine Arts at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), USA. The sculpture course at RISD provided Joshua with a unique opportunity to learn from internationally renowned artists and develop interdisciplinary skills, from sculpture and animation to prototyping design technologies.
Applications are now being accepted for Young People and the Arts funding
Are you aged 26 and under and want to explore new ideas, develop skills, work with a mentor, create new work or reinterpret someone else’s?
Does your community group or local council want to work with a group of young people to explore new ideas or develop their skills?
Are you interested in getting your work out there through marketing and export initiatives or showcasing your work at festivals, trade fairs, exhibitions and more?
The Department of Culture and the Arts’ Young People and the Arts grants program supports artistic activity for, with, and by, young people aged 26 and under (excluding film, TV and radio), and the Development or Marketing and Distribution categories may be for you.
Applications for funding are assessed by a panel of young artists and arts workers. The Young People and the Arts grants program has two project rounds per year.
The next deadline is Friday 24 February 2012 for activity starting after 1 July 2012.
If you think this sounds like you, download the Arts Grants Handbook 2012 from www.dca.wa.gov.au/funding and then contact the Young People and the Arts Project Officer on 08 6552 7300, toll free (country WA callers only) 1800 199 090, or youngpeople@dca.wa.gov.au
HEALTHWAY AND THE PJS MOVE ON AFTER TWENTY YEARS
In 1991 The Perth Jazz Society applied to Healthway for sponsorship to allow it to present a series of non-smoking performances as part of its weekly program.
Unlike today, back then non-smoking in a jazz environment was virtually seen as revolutionary with people refusing to put out their cigarettes and sometimes being downright abusive and threatening - not to mention that over 70% of its members were smokers. A strategy was initiated that, rather than go ‘cold turkey’, the committee - with the approval of its membership - would do it gradually to allow the audience to get used to the idea. In its first year Healthway sponsored performances that focused specifically on women instrumentalists and vocalists, as more young women were taking up smoking in 1991 than young men. The following year it was one non-smoking performance a month and by 1994 non-smoking for all performances.
According to visiting international jazz artists around that time, the PJS was the first jazz room in the world to be non-smoking i.e. Mike Stern, Ben Sidran, and much to his distaste, Ronnie Scott agreed (however, Ronnie refused to stop smoking on stage). Likewise, it led the way in Australia by being the first jazz venue to be non-smoking.
As we move on after twenty years of Healthway sponsorship and the support of its Healthway Arts Manager, Mr Lindsay Lovering, the PJS considers that this relationship really did make a difference. Jazz and cigarettes was a hard nut to crack but we did it. On behalf of the Jazz community we thank you.
- Helen Matthews
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNER - LUNA PALACE CINEMAS
LUNA LEEDERVILLE, LUNA SX FREMANTLE & CINEMA PARADISO
FOR FULL DETAILS OF ALL CINEMA PROGRAMS go to www.lunapalace.com.au
For further information please contact:
Tony Bective on 9444 4056 or tony@lunapalace.com.au
Bec Vargas on 9227 1771 or bec@lunapalace.com.au
Camelot Outdoor Cinema - Opens Thursday December 8
Camelot Outdoor Cinema is a unique and intimate venue located in the heart of Mosman Park. Taking advantage of the great west coast weather and outdoor lifestyle,
Presenting more than just films, Camelot also introduced the very popular ‘Jazz & Oyster’ nights, delivering a trio of Jazz musicians (courtesy of the Perth Jazz Society) to entertain patrons before the film on the first Wednesday of every month. To accompanying this night of live music, delectable oysters are shucked fresh onsite. Upon the success of the Jazz nights, the Live Music Night’s theme grew to include ‘Sunset Blues & Gourmet Burgers’ on the second Wednesday of every month and ‘Fairbridge Festival Tasters’, a night of folk music and paella, on the third Wednesday of each month.
With doors opening at 6.15 and a film screening nightly at 8.15pm, guests can enjoy gourmet onsite pizza, wine, beer and other candy bar goods at the onsite bar or bring their own picnic to enjoy in the beautiful courtyard. (Sorry, no BYO)
Highlights of programme one include; Midnight in Paris, Melancholia, Contagion, We Bought a Zoo, War Horse and Albert Nobbs
The Jazz Trios scheduled for the 2011-12 season are:
Thur 8 Dec 2011 - Cheryl Durongpisitkul Trio
Wed 4 Jan 2012 - Patrick Van der Moezel Trio
Wed 1 Feb 2012 - Ben Matthews Trio
Wed 7 Mar 2012 - Bronton Ainsworth Trio
Wed 4 April 2012 - Anea Duratovic Trio
Camelot is proudly supported by 6PR, Post Newspapers, The Perth Jazz Society, Fairbridge Festival, MosArts, Power Music Productions, Little Creatures Beer, Barwick Wines, Paul Bardetta Food and Wok & Roll.
Jazz Camp 2012
18 - 22 January 2012
Naamaroo Conference Centre
Chatswood West, NSW
Jazz Camp is a five day residential program for students aged 11 to 19 years. With an enrolment of up to 125 students, students work in both graded and mixed groups on jazz improvisation, small ensemble playing, big band, instrumental master classes, performance skills, theory and jazz history. Each day features student concerts and an evening performance by a professional group.
The teaching faculty consists of leading jazz educators and performers, often with guests from interstate or overseas. John Morrison in the musical director and patron, and Saul Richardson, Jazz Workshop Australia Principal, is the program coordinator.
Contact Jazz Workshop on 02 9966 5468 or info@jazzworkshop.com.au
Download your application online at www.jazzworkshop.com.au
MGI Perth - a Perth Jazz Society business partner
The deal of your life.
MGI Perth is a proud supporter of the Perth Jazz Society.
As a leading accounting and business advisory firm, MGI worked closely with the Perth Jazz Society in 2009 and again in 2010 to provide audit and assurance services. As business growth advisors, MGI can provide solutions to help you grow your business, manage your wealth and ultimately achieve your ambitions at any stage of your business life cycle.
Why select MGI?
By drawing on MGI’s extensive experience in helping small to medium businesses prepare themselves for succession and helping them to improve their business performance, you will be well positioned to achieve the real potential of your business and you will, at the same time, significantly enhance its appeal to potential buyers.
For more information on how MGI Perth can assist you at this important stage of your life,
please contact Mal Di Giulio, Director, on (08) 9463 2463 or email info@mgiperth.com.au